First AidFirst Aid

Chapter 15

Cold Related Emergencies

Frost nipFrost nipFreezing limited to skin surface

Freezing of water on skin surface

Frost nipFrost nipSkin red and swollenNo further damage after re-warmingFirst sigh of impeding frost bite

Frost nipFrost nipGently warm by placing against a warm body part. Can blow warm air on Do not rub

Frost BiteFrost BiteFreezing extending deeper into skin and flesh

Frost BiteFrost BiteOccurs when temp drops below freezing

Mainly effects feet, hands, ears, nose

Frost BiteFrost BiteSevere consequences are gangrene and amputation

Frost BiteFrost BiteCannot judge extent of injury until after thawing occurs

Frost BiteFrost BiteCan be classified as:

Superficial

Deep

Frost BiteFrost BiteSuperficialSkin color white, waxy, or grayish yellow

Feels cold & numb

Tingling, stinging or aching sensation

Skin surface feels stiff or crusty but underlying

tissue is soft.

Frost BiteFrost BiteDeepFeels cold, hard and solid.Cold pale, waxy skin colorPainful parts suddenly stops hurtingBlisters after thawing

Frost Bite: What to DoFrost Bite: What to DoGet out of cold & into warm placeRemove any clothing or items that could impair circulationSMA

Frost Bite What to DoFrost Bite What to DoIf more than 1 hour from a medical facility:

Re-warm by placing in warm, not hot water.

Control pain with analgesics

Frost Bite What to DoFrost Bite What to DoAfter thawing:

Will not be able to walk if feet

are effected

Place gauze btw toes or fingers

Elevate effected part

Frost Bite What to DoFrost Bite What to DoDO NOTRub or massageUse heating pad or hot water bottlesConsume alcoholSmokeRe-warm if possibility of re-freezing

HypothermiaHypothermiaLife threatening

Body core temp falls below 95

Hypothermia: What to Look ForHypothermia: What to Look For

Change in mental statusShiveringCool abdomenLow core body temp

Hypothermia: TypesHypothermia: Types

Mild:Core temp

above 90 ShiveringSlurred speechMemory lapseCold hands, feet and abdomens

Hypothermia: TypesHypothermia: Types

Severe:Core temp below 90. Shivering has stopped

Muscles stiff & rigid

Skin is ice cold

Pulse and breathing slow down

Pupils dilate

Appears dead

Hypothermia: What to DoHypothermia: What to Do

Stop further heat loss: Get out of cold Replace wet

clothing Insulate beneath

and around victim

SMA

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

1. 1. Rub or massage to re-warm Rub or massage to re-warm frostbitten partfrostbitten part. .

No

Frostbite

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

2. F2. Frostbite damage becomes rostbite damage becomes more severe if affected part more severe if affected part is thawed and re-frozenis thawed and re-frozen. .

Yes

Frostbite

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

3. It is best to re-warm a 3. It is best to re-warm a ffrostbitten part with warm rostbitten part with warm waterwater. .

Yes

Frostbite

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

4. 4. Placing frostbitten hands in Placing frostbitten hands in another person’s armpits is the another person’s armpits is the best re-warming method. best re-warming method.

No

Frostbite

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

5. When near a hospital, it is best 5. When near a hospital, it is best to let medical personal thaw to let medical personal thaw the frthe frostbitten part. ostbitten part.

Yes

Frostbite

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15ScenerioScenerio: Subfreezing temps. Elderly man in : Subfreezing temps. Elderly man in

stalled truck. Spilled gasoline on stalled truck. Spilled gasoline on hands. Stranded for over 3 hours. hands. Stranded for over 3 hours. Numb fingers. Cold feet. Numb fingers. Cold feet. What to do? What to do?

Get to warm placeRemove constricting clothingSMA Thaw with wam water if help is delayed

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

1. 1. Add insulation, (blankets) Add insulation, (blankets) under and over victimunder and over victim..

Yes

Hypothermia

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

2. 2. Replace wet clothing with Replace wet clothing with dry clothingdry clothing..

Yes

Hypothermia

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3. 3. Shivering is sufficient to Shivering is sufficient to re-warm a mild re-warm a mild hypothermia victimhypothermia victim..

Yes

Hypothermia

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

4. 4. For mild hypothermia, heat For mild hypothermia, heat packs, using a rescuer's packs, using a rescuer's body are preferred methods body are preferred methods for re-warmingfor re-warming

No

Hypothermia

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

5. 5. Severe hypothermia, Severe hypothermia, should be transported to should be transported to hospital for re-warminghospital for re-warming

Yes

Hypothermia

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

6. Check a severe hypothermia 6. Check a severe hypothermia victim’s pulse for at least 30-45 victim’s pulse for at least 30-45 secondsseconds

Yes

Hypothermia

Learning Activities 15Learning Activities 15

Handle gently

SMA

Add blankets under and over.

Scenario: cold day. 80 y/o grandfather. Wrapped in blanket laying on top of bed. House very cold. He can only mumble. . What to do?